Lakey Pipe Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here, and I’ve got a look at what’s comin’ our way. Straight up, there’s a solid run of swell on the cards, but this ain’t for the faint-hearted. The standout is Lakey Pipe, a reef setup that’s gonna be pumpin’ for a good stretch, but it’s mostly for the experienced crew.

The water’s sittin’ at 80.1°F – pretty much bang on normal for this time of year, so no surprises there.

We kick off on Tuesday the 18th of August. Lakey Pipe is already seein’ a solid 5.9ft SW swell with a 16 second period – that’s proper groundswell energy. The wind’s a gentle cross-offshore breeze, so the lineup’s gonna be clean. The combined energy is a hefty 2449 (moderate-strong), and it’s got that long period that’ll make the reef sections stand up nicely. This is quality surf for anyone with the skills.

Wednesday the 19th steps it up a notch. The morning swell bumps to 7.5ft from the SW, period hittin’ 19 seconds – that’s a very long period groundswell. The energy jumps to 3626, and it’s still clean with that cross-off wind. By the afternoon, it’s 8.2ft at 18 seconds, energy at 3839. This is top-tier stuff, but at this size, it’s expert-only territory. The swell direction is a perfect match for the optimum SW, so the reefs are gonna be firing.

Thursday the 20th sees the biggest push – 9.8ft SW swell in the morning, period 16 seconds, and the energy rockets to 4254. That’s strong. The wind’s still favorable, but the swell’s predicted to be too big even for this break. It’s still clean, but only for the absolute top guns. The afternoon drops back to 8.2ft, with energy at 3648, still excellent for experienced surfers.

Friday the 21st keeps it going with a 6.9ft SW swell in the morning, energy 2112, and clean conditions. The afternoon swings a bit more SSW at 7.5ft, 17 seconds, energy 3229, but the wind picks up to a moderate breeze – still cross-off, but a bit more breeze on it.

Saturday the 22nd and Sunday the 23rd continue the run. Saturday morning has 7.9ft SSW swell, 16 seconds, energy 2900, clean. Saturday afternoon 7.2ft, same direction, energy 2472. Sunday the 23rd drops slightly to 6.6ft SSW, 15 seconds, energy 1984, but the quality starts to become more marginal. By Sunday afternoon, the wind goes cross-shore, introducing a little chop.

Monday the 24th and Tuesday the 25th see the swell ease back a touch. Monday’s 6.6ft SSW, 15 seconds, energy 1770, still clean but the scores drop. Tuesday the 25th is a bit of a mixed bag – morning has 4.6ft SW, 14 seconds, energy 1441, and it’s clean, but the afternoon picks up to 6.2ft SSW, 16 seconds, energy 1743, and quality improves back to excellent.

Wednesday the 26th through to the end of the month sees the swell drop and pulse. Wednesday the 26th: 5.2ft SW, 14 seconds, energy 1041, but the quality is marginal. Thursday the 27th: morning at 3.9ft, 13 seconds, energy 827, but the afternoon jumps back to 4.9ft, 16 seconds, energy 1175, and it’s excellent again.

Friday the 28th gives a solid kick – 7.2ft SW, 16 seconds, energy 2291 in the morning, and 7.2ft SW, 15 seconds, energy 2645 in the afternoon. Both clean and excellent. Saturday the 29th: 5.6ft SW, 14 seconds, energy 1230, clean with a light breeze in the morning, but the afternoon gets a cross-shore breeze and some chop.

Sunday the 30th sees a drop in swell height but a long period – 3.0ft SW, 19 seconds, energy 1160. That’s a very long period groundswell for a small wave. It’ll be clean in the morning, but the afternoon has cross-shore wind. Monday the 31st: 6.2ft SW, 16 seconds, energy 1875, clean and excellent. Tuesday the 1st of September: 5.9ft SW, 16 seconds, energy 1602, clean. Wednesday the 2nd of September finishes the run: 4.9ft SW, 15 seconds, energy 1675, clean with a light breeze in the morning, and 5.9ft SW, 14 seconds, energy 2128 in the afternoon, with a risk of thunderstorms but still light offshore wind.

The best of the best? Wednesday the 19th and Thursday the 20th of August. That’s the core of the swell – big, long-period groundswell, clean, and bang on the optimum direction. Just remember, it’s expert-only at those sizes. If you’re not in that league,

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